- If you’ve been wondering why your job postings are getting ghosted harder than a bad Tinder date, here’s a clue: today’s job seekers want benefits—and they want them served hot, fresh, and better than whatever they’re currently getting.
Indeed (yes, the job site, not me declaring something with flair) released a pair of reports showing that almost half of U.S. job seekers say “better benefits” are a top motivator for switching jobs. Only higher pay beats it—and honestly, those two tend to go together like coffee and Mondays.
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Classic Benefits Are Still the Beyoncé of the Package
In the report Classic Employer Benefits Still Drive Job Seeker Decisions, 49% of job seekers ranked “better benefits” as a key reason they’re on the hunt. And the tried-and-true perks still rule:
• Health insurance (63%)
• Paid vacation (63%)
• Paid sick days (59%)
Basically, people want to stay healthy, take a break, and not be punished for catching the flu. Wild, I know.
Part-time and self-employed workers especially crave better benefits—no surprise there. Anyone who’s ever filed their own taxes or bought insurance on the individual market has aged 10 years in the process.
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Generational Differences: The Battle of Classic vs. “Cool” Benefits
The age divide is real.
Workers 45+ are focused on classic benefits and retirement savings—think stability, security, and the dream of retiring before 90.
Meanwhile, the under-35 crowd wants a full benefits buffet: education assistance, childcare support, commuter perks, parental leave, and yes… discounted or free food. (Honestly, same.)
Across genders, races, and education levels, about half of all job seekers say benefits matter—a refreshing bit of unity in a world where we can’t even agree on pizza toppings.
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The U.S. vs. The World: Why We Love Our Employer Benefits So Much
A big theme across both reports: the value of employer benefits depends heavily on what the government provides.
In the U.S.—where universal healthcare remains the political equivalent of a unicorn—67% of workers rank health insurance as their top benefit.
Shocking? Not really.
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What Employers Should Take Away From This
Today’s workers want benefits that are meaningful, not the “free bagels every second Thursday” kind. They want:
✔ Solid health coverage
✔ Time off to have an actual life
✔ Security for their families
✔ Flexibility that reflects the real world
✔ Benefits that respect where they are in life
And if you don’t offer these things? Someone else will—because nearly half of job seekers are already scrolling, searching, and ready to jump.
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Where SHN Comes In: Benefits That Actually Compete in 2026
Here’s the part most employers never say out loud but absolutely should: your benefits are your brand.
At Solidarity Health Network (SHN), we build benefit programs that don’t just check boxes—they actually make people say, “Wow, I’d stay for that.”
Our plans are rich, comprehensive, and fairly priced. Meaning: employees feel protected, and employers don’t feel like they need to sell a kidney to fund their health plan.
Mental Health Telehealth, 24/7 — Because Life Doesn’t Wait for Office Hours
SHN offers a mental health telehealth program where employees can:
• Call anytime, day or night, during a crisis
• Schedule ongoing appointments with the same mental health provider
• Actually get care when they need it—not six weeks from Thursday
This isn’t just a trendy benefit. It’s one of the most valued offerings in the workforce today.
And Yes… We Even Offer Group Pet Insurance 🐾
You laugh, but employees love this.
- Group pet insurance:
• Keeps costs down
• Boosts employee satisfaction
• Is one of the fastest-growing benefits in the market
People adore their pets. Offering coverage for them wins hearts faster than a corporate wellness poster ever will.
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Final Thought: Benefits Are the Talent War
Consider this your friendly (yet slightly sassy) nudge from me:
Benefits are branding now.
The companies that understand that—and invest accordingly—are the ones that retain talent, attract top performers, and build loyal workforces.The ones that don’t?
Well… enjoy reading résumés. A lot of them.